The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy
The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.
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Maternal Family Tree: Alice Squier Baroness North 1560
Alice Squier Baroness North was born to [her father] Oliver Squier of Southby in Hampshire.
Around 1527 Edward North 1st Baron North (age 31) and Alice Squier Baroness North were married.
Before 1528 Edward Maurfyn and Alice Squier Baroness North were married.
In 1528 [her husband] Edward Maurfyn died.
In 1530 [her son] Roger North 2nd Baron North was born to [her husband] Edward North 1st Baron North (age 34) and Alice Squier Baroness North.
Before 1550 [her son-in-law] William Somerset 3rd Earl of Worcester (age 23) and [her daughter] Christina North Countess of Worcester were married. She by marriage Countess Worcester. He the son of Henry Somerset 2nd Earl of Worcester and Elizabeth Browne Countess of Worcester (age 47).
In 1554 [her husband] Edward North 1st Baron North (age 58) was created 1st Baron North. Alice Squier Baroness North by marriage Baroness North.
Before 1558 [her son-in-law] Henry Scrope 9th Baron Scrope of Bolton (age 23) and [her daughter] Christina North Countess of Worcester were married. She by marriage Baroness Scrope of Bolton.
Around 1558 [her daughter] Christina North Countess of Worcester died.
Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall
The Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall (Chronicon Anglicanum) is an indispensable medieval history that brings to life centuries of English and European affairs through the eyes of a learned Cistercian monk. Ralph of Coggeshall, abbot of the Abbey of Coggeshall in Essex in the early 13th century, continued and expanded his community’s chronicle, documenting events from the Norman Conquest of 1066 into the tumultuous reign of King Henry III. Blending eyewitness testimony, careful compilation, and the monastic commitment to record-keeping, this chronicle offers a rare narrative of political intrigue, royal power struggles, and social upheaval in England and beyond. Ralph’s work captures the reigns of pivotal figures such as Richard I and King John, providing invaluable insights into their characters, decisions, and the forces that shaped medieval rule. More than a simple annal, Chronicon Anglicanum conveys the texture of medieval life and governance, making it a rich source for scholars and readers fascinated by English history, monastic authorship, and the shaping of the medieval world.
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Before 19th August 1560 Alice Squier Baroness North died.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 19th August 1560. The xix day of August my lade Northe [was carried] from Charter howse toward Cambregshyre ... with a C [100] men in blake rydyng, and master Clarenshus (age 50) sett them in ordur, and a grett denur with venesun, wyne, and stronge bere.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 22nd August 1560. The xxij day of August was bered in Cambregshyre my lade North, the wyff of my [her former husband] lord North (age 64), with ij haroldes of armes, master Clarenshus (age 50) and master Somersett, and mony mornars in blake gownes; then cam a grett baner of armes borne; and then cam the corse kevered [covered] with a pall of blake welvett and armes, and banars borne abowtt the corse; and then cam mony women mornars in blake; and the plase and the chyrche hangyd with blake and armes, and after to the plase to dener, for ther was myche a-doo; and thys was at Cateleg my lord('s) place; and (blank) dyd pryche at the bereall, and was mony pore men and women that had gownes and met [meat] and drynke.
Note. P. 242. Funeral of lady North. Alice, daughter of Oliver Squyer, of Southby, near Portsmouth, widow of Edward Mirfyn of London (son of sir John Mirfyn, lord mayor in 1519,) and also widow of John Brigadine, of Northampton. After this, lord North married another lady who had had three husbands, and died himself before the end of 1565. The present lady was the mother of his children.
Around 1564 [her former husband] Edward North 1st Baron North (age 68) died.
[her daughter] Mary North was born to Edward North 1st Baron North and Alice Squier Baroness North.
[her daughter] Christina North Countess of Worcester was born to Edward North 1st Baron North and Alice Squier Baroness North. She married (1) before 1550 William Somerset 3rd Earl of Worcester, son of Henry Somerset 2nd Earl of Worcester and Elizabeth Browne Countess of Worcester, and had issue (2) before 1558 Henry Scrope 9th Baron Scrope of Bolton, son of John Scrope 8th Baron Scrope of Bolton and Catherine Clifford Baroness Scrope Bolton, and had issue.